Buckle-guard



(No Model.) .4 I

W. I'. LEUTZ;` BUCKLE GUARD.-

No. 497,547. 4Pmentefl May 16,1893.

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we mums Ferias co. murau'ma. wasnmcwu n c UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM F. LEUTZ, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

BUCKLE-GUARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 497,547, dated May 16, 1893.

Application filed April 6, 1892. Serial No. 428,001. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. LEUTZ, of Toledo, county of Lucasand State of Ohio, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Buckle-Guards; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to a buckle guard, and has for its object to construct a guard of a single Vpiece of wire, that shall overlap-the entire buckle, and prevent the hair of the tail of the horse from catching into either the tongue or buckle frame.

A further object is to form the guard-with a curved portion to receive the front portion of the buckle frame by which means the depression in rear of the curve shall serve to hold the guard immovable in its position upon the strap and the frame of the buckle from rising and in this manner avoid the possibility of thereins or other straps of the harness catching upon the frame.

With these objects in view the invention consists broadly in a buckle guard of a length Vto extend over the entire length of the buckle frame, whether of a single or double loop buckle, and having loops at each end to receive the harness straps, the body of the guard being formed with a curved portion to receive one of the end portions of the buckle frame.

In the drawingsz-Figure 1 is a plan view of a double loop or center bar buckle securing two straps in adjustment, with the guard in position to prevent the hair of the horses tail, or the harness straps from catching onto the buckle tongue or frame. Fig. 2is an edge vieW of the same, showing more fully the curved portion of the guard for holding the same from movement upon the buckle, and the buckle frame to the strap. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the guard detached from the buckle. Fig. tis a top plan view of the same,

and Fig. 5 is a like view showing the loop of one end opened to pass over the strap.- t

In illustratingthe guard in operative position,I have shown a double loop or center bar buckle, this style of buckle being the most liable to cause annoyance in the particulars sought to be avoided, one of the valuable features of my invention being the overlapping ofthe entire length of the buckle frame the rear end bar as well as the front, as I have found that ther-eis nearly as much annoyance caused by the rear end of the buckle frame in catching the hairs of the mane or tail of the horse or a fly netting that may be placed over the harness or from catching the reins, as from the buckle tongue or front end of the frame, this form of buckle being best adapted to illustrate the objects sought to be attained, (and also the overlapping of the rear end of the buckle,) although the guard is fully as edective on a single loop buckle as the guard extends in rear of the rear end bar and serves thesame purpose as in the centerbar buckle.

l designates the buckle secured to strap 2 and engaged with strap 3.

In forming the guard, the Wire is cut the proper length, and bent centrally to form a loop 4 at one end, from Which the top bars 5 extend and are each bent in V shape at their outer ends to form aloop when closed. Just in the rear of one of the loops, the top bars are formed with an upward curve 7 caused by a depression 8 in the bars, the curve being of a contour to fit closely over the end of the buckle frame, and the point of the depressed portion resting firmly against the inner side lof the end of the buckle frame, whereby the guard may lie closely upon the buckle and be held from movement upon the strap.

In securing the guard over the buckle th strap 3 is passed through loop 4 and engaged with the buckle when the top bars 5 are caused to overlap the buckle and the V shaped ends are closed over strap 2, and the end of strap 3 to form loop 6, which closely embraces the same, and causes the depression 8 to bear closely against the inner side of the end bar as it rests in the curved portion 7 thereby holding the guard from movement longitudinally upon the straps, and causing the guard to present a more tinished appearance and for some forms of buckles in which the rear loop is prominent I forma curve and depression upon each end of the top bars which lit closely over each end of the frame.

What I claim is- As an improved article of manufacture, a

buckle guard, formed of a single piece and In testimony that I claim the foregoing as comprising the parallel top bars, provided, at my own I hereby affix my signature in pres- Io one end with downward curves or depressions, ence of two witnesses.

adapted to lit the buckle frame, and the down- 5 wardly curved loops at each end beyond the WILLIAM l?. LEUTZ.

buckle frame, substantially at right angles to Witnesses: the top bars, said loops being adapted to em WILLIAM WEBSTER,

brace the straps. CARROLL J. WEBSTER. 

